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Author
Topic: FOOT PAIN,HIV related?? (Read 11294 times)

hi all,I've been having severe foot pain, I know this is a dumb question, and the only reason I'm asking is because I saw a add in a local paper saying "if you have foot pain and are HIV pos." ect,ect.

Can you describe the pain? Is it pins and needles, joint pain, aching?

The foot pain associated with hiv and/or the meds usually starts out as a pins and needles type of pain. This is because it's caused by damage to the nerves, so it feels electrical in nature. The meds you're on are not, to my knowledge, ones that are known for causing PN (Peripheral Neuropathy).

PN also tends to be bilateral - it happens on both sides. You don't say if one or both feet hurt.

Also, as you're on meds and your numbers weren't too bad when you started, it's unlikely to be caused by the virus itself. You've been undetectable for ages now, right? (yes, I looked at your posting history )

It sounds like something you need to talk with a doctor about. Could be something like gout.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Can you describe the pain? Is it pins and needles, joint pain, aching?

The foot pain associated with hiv and/or the meds usually starts out as a pins and needles type of pain. This is because it's caused by damage to the nerves, so it feels electrical in nature. The meds you're on are not, to my knowledge, ones that are known for causing PN (Peripheral Neuropathy).

PN also tends to be bilateral - it happens on both sides. You don't say if one or both feet hurt.

Also, as you're on meds and your numbers weren't too bad when you started, it's unlikely to be caused by the virus itself. You've been undetectable for ages now, right? (yes, I looked at your posting history )

It sounds like something you need to talk with a doctor about. Could be something like gout.

Ann

Yes Ann, I've been undetectable for about 3 years now..diagnosed with cd4 120, my last appointment my cd4 was in the mid 400's.Actually my right foot hurts more than my left...though both DO ache. NO pins and needles though,just bad aches at the arch of my right foot...and also the arche of my left (right arch is worse) It kind of feels as if I've been standing for days at a time with no rest. The wierd thing is when I'm OFF my feet it seems thats when the pain really kicks in,when I walk around ,its not as bad....For those who dont know I'm on Atripla.Thanks for your replies,any more will be greatly appreciated.In the mean time I'll schedule an appointment with a foot doctor for X RAYS, But please,keep the replies coming especially those with similar experince.

HIV+ since May. On HAART since August. Foot pain after two months on HAART. Mild, but never had it before. Heels mostly, both. Feels exactly like you said - like I've been standing up on a hard floor all day. At the moment, its noticeable but I'm just trying to ignore it. Its not pins and needles. I have achy forearms too, and thats new, since I went on HAART. Like you, I notice these aches when i am resting. I have normal energy and normal strength and don't notice it as much when Im active.

« Last Edit: December 13, 2008, 11:04:43 AM by mecch »

Logged

“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

HIV+ since May. On HAART since August. Foot pain after two months on HAART. Mild, but never had it before. Heels mostly, both. Feels exactly like you said - like I've been standing up on a hard floor all day. At the moment, its noticeable but I'm just trying to ignore it. Its not pins and needles. I have achy forearms too, and thats new, since I went on HAART. Like you, I notice these aches when i am resting. I have normal energy and normal strength and don't notice it as much when Im active.

The thing with me mecch, I've been on HAART for about 3 years now...I've had this foot issue for about 6 to 8 months...no other pains though....just foot.Its interesting that you said that it hurts LESS when your active,much like my situation.I wonder if something is up and there is a relation between this and HIV and or HAART....

The thing with me mecch, I've been on HAART for about 3 years now...I've had this foot issue for about 6 to 8 months...no other pains though....just foot.Its interesting that you said that it hurts LESS when your active,much like my situation.I wonder if something is up and there is a relation between this and HIV and or HAART....

Well since I'm probably more or less undetectable by this week, and it seems you are too, I can't imagine these weird feelings being HIV, I'm sure it must be HAART. Reading what has happened with LTS and earlier ARV medicine, and the severe PN some have had, its hardly worth complaining.

I've been riding my bike a lot this week to prepare for 2 weeks skiing and exercise seems to further decrease the feelings when I'm resting. Yep, I feel nothing when I'm active. Typing this, relaxing, I have ringing ears, and tingly arms.

Maybe lots of fresh air and exercise is a good solution.

Have a Merry Xmas!

Logged

“From each, according to his ability; to each, according to his need” 1875 K Marx

I have had PN for several years and had a very hard time walking. I was a patient at an HIV Clinic which did not have an ID doc and the symptoms were at a loss for the Nurse and my medical records were signed off by a doctor, I had never met, Medical and Medicare were billed $12,000 for 1 month. I moved to Sonoma County and was diagnosed with PN and Restless Leg Syndrome. I was in pain by day and had a difficult time sleeping. I started propping my feet up, higher than my heart and could sleep. My ID doc changed my meds and said the PN would heal but would take a long time.

Three years later...I asked doc to define "a long time" and we did some more tests and found Osteopenia. I have been taking Trizivir and Sustiva, changed from Requip to Gabapentin for the PN and had been taking Vioxx for awhile but outlived that doc and stopped. I also got Simvastatin and Lisinopril for blood pressure and Cholesterol. My job is to take pills.

Last Summer, I was at a park in San Francisco and could not walk uphill 5 blocks to my friends house. We flagged a cab and he pushed me into Physical Therapy. Now, with regular exercise, stretching routines and a whole bunch of pills, I can almost walk without pain and actually get from point A to Point B. He promised a strenuous hike this Spring in the Yosemite Wilderness area of the park. I will be ready.

During all of these years, I maintained a CD 4 count between 350 and 450 with an undetectable VL (10 years). My numbers were not of concern for the Nurse at the old clinic or the MD who signed off on my medical reports. My recommendation... No matter what your numbers are, keep on the medical staff for any pain related issues. Have the best dayMichael

In the last few months my arches in both my feet ache too. It is okay when I walking around and on them but when I get up in the morning or rest them for awhile and sometimes if I stand for a lenthly time the pain is almost unbearable. I have found if I massage and do alittle deep pressure points on them before I sleep it doesn't hurt as much. Also, I'm wondering if it could be my shoes, when I wear Merrills it's not too bad. I plan on asking my doctor about this too. He knows that I have a numbness on the balls and big toe areas on both feet, but he didn't think it was anything. So I just rub and do pressure points at night and it is very painful but it does feel better later.

I get pain in both my feet mainly the ankles and tendons no pins or needles just aches and sometimes it is hard to walk, i feel most of the pain i believe it is call your achillies tendon the most and had a couple of toenails fall off-nothing i cant live with

Plantar fascitis - I have the same kind of pain in the arches of my feet and limp for the first 15 minutes of every morning, its gets better during the day but never goes away. Its not the numbing or tingling of PN, its strain on the arch muscles from standing too much...I am a teacher.

Peripheral Neuropathy (PN) and I are old "friends" since 2000. I had no idea what it was at that time but know that the virus has caused my PN since I was diagnosed in September 2001. The damage was done long before I started HAART.

I best describe the pain as walking on broken glass with an occasional nail thrown in for an extra jolt. I also have no refexes in my ankles, suffer from "foot drop" and walk with an uneven gait. A cane helps to keep me stable on my pegs.